Militants invade community, 3 policemen shot in gun battle

dimeji akinloye

July 27, 2016 5:18 AM

It was also reported that some of the residents, who were earlier abducted by the militants, escaped during the shootout.

Some suspected militants on Tuesday, July 26 reportedly had a seven-hour face off with police officers in the Igando area of

Three policemen attached to the Igando Police Division and two residents identified as Baba Victor and Adedokun were wounded in the gun battle, Punch reports.

The gunmen were said to have stormed the community around 6a.m through the waterways behind the Pacific Estate, Ikejiobi Avenue, Ewedogbon - they looted shops in the estate.

The police officers swung into action shortly after the incident was reported. One of them was shot in the head during the shootout but survived the attack, report said.

It was also reported that some of the residents, who were earlier abducted by the militants, escaped during the shootout.

Recounting the ordeal, a landlord in the area said there were women among the militants.

“The attacks started in Fatoki community, Igando, on Saturday. We did not know it was our turn this morning (Tuesday). At about 6.30am, they came into the estate, shooting and moving around the streets," the landlord, identified as Olayinka, said.

“Everyone ran inside and bolted the doors. They caught a resident, Baba Victor, on his motorcycle, and took him away. They cut him with machetes, but he escaped during the gun battle with the police.

“They smashed the vehicles they found on the streets. They broke into shops and stole frozen foods, bags of rice and garri. They were about 15 men. The hoodlums did not cover their faces and there were women among them. Some of us were watching them from our houses.”

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Over 200 panicking residents were said to have scampered to safety after the incident, with many taking refuge behind about thirteen police vans, two Rapid Response Squad armoured tanks and three OP MESA.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, no arrests have been made, but confirmed that normalcy has been restored to the area.

dimeji akinloye